Cosmetic composition containing linear olefin sulfonates, non-oxyalkylated anionic surfactants, and non-ionic and/or amphoteric surfactants, and cosmetic treatment method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising:
         one or more linear α-olefin sulfonates,   one or more non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants present in the composition in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight; and   one or more additional surfactants chosen from amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants.       

     The invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment process using said composition, especially a process for caring for and/or cleansing keratin materials.

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising one or more linear α-olefin sulfonates, in combination with one or more particular additional anionic surfactants and with one or more additional surfactants chosen from amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants; the invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment process using said composition.

Hair has a tendency to lose some of its qualities due to the action of factors especially such as natural regreasing, sweat, the removal of squamae, pollution or humidity. The visual appearance and the feel of the hair may thus be degraded. Regreasing, for example, makes the hair lank, and the hair then has a tendency to clump together. The hair may be more difficult to style, and may have an unpleasant greasy sheen or waxy feel. This is likewise the case for the skin, which has a tendency to lose some of its qualities due to the action of factors such as sweat, the removal of squamae, pollution, the climate and heating. The visual appearance may be degraded and thus lead to dull, dried-out skin, and a sensation of discomfort may appear.

It is common practice to use detergent cosmetic compositions such as shampoos or shower gels, based essentially on surfactants, for washing keratin materials such as the skin and the hair. These compositions are generally applied to the keratin materials, which are preferably wet, and the foam generated by massaging or rubbing with the hands or a washing mitt makes it possible, after rinsing with water, to remove the diverse types of soiling initially present on the hair or the skin. These compositions have substantial contents of detergent surfactants, which, in order to allow the formulation of cosmetic compositions with good washing power which are capable of removing soiling (sebum, sweat, pollution, etc.), squamae or dandruff, must especially give said compositions good foaming power. The surfactants that are useful for this purpose are generally of anionic, nonionic or amphoteric type, and particularly of anionic type.

The most common cosmetic compositions for washing keratin materials often contain anionic surfactants of sulfate type, which are very good detergent surfactants, but may prove to be relatively unfriendly to the keratin materials to be washed, in particular by having a drying effect on said materials, or even a negative impact on the conditioning of the hair or the skin. Specifically, gradually in the course of the applications, these surfactants may impair the cosmetic properties of the hair or the skin, thus leading to the need also to use conditioning agents such as cationic polymers, silicones or non-silicone oils. Sulfate surfactants may also give rise, in the case of certain sensitive consumers, to tolerance problems, especially on the skin and/or the eyes (stinging, tautness).

There is thus a need to propose cosmetic compositions, especially of shampoo or shower gel type, which have good detergent power and especially good foaming power, while at the same time being as free as possible of sulfate surfactants. However, cosmetic washing compositions that are free of sulfate surfactants must generally comprise large amounts of other surfactants in order to obtain the desired foam abundance and quality. However, the use of large amounts of these surfactants is undesirable, since it increases the cost of the compositions and may also lead to tolerance problems in the case of the most sensitive consumers.

Thus, there is a real need to provide cosmetic compositions which have satisfactory foam properties, without the need to use sulfate surfactants or large amounts of non-sulfate surfactants.

These compositions must also have good detergent or washing properties, and have good tolerance especially with respect to the skin, mucous membranes, the scalp and the eyes, while at the same time leading to good conditioning of keratin materials.

Finally, to avoid running on application and especially running into the eyes, detergent compositions of shampoo or shower gel type should, preferably, generally have a thickened texture, but without their thickening giving rise to problems of stability of the composition.

The Applicant has now discovered that a cosmetic composition containing a particular combination of surfactants makes it possible to achieve the objectives presented above.

One subject of the present invention is thus a cosmetic composition comprising:

-   -   (i) one or more linear alpha-olefin sulfonates,     -   (ii) one or more non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants other         than the compounds (i), present in the composition in an amount         ranging from 1% to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of         the composition; and     -   (iii) one or more additional surfactants chosen from amphoteric         surfactants and nonionic surfactants.

The compositions according to the invention allow the production of an abundant foam of very good quality, which is especially creamy, this production being rapid. They especially provide a homogeneous foam which has good persistence over time. The foam formed from the composition according to the invention spreads easily and uniformly on keratin materials.

The present invention makes it possible to obtain optimum foaming performance when compared with the amount of non-sulfate surfactants present in the composition. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to formulate compositions which, for a surfactant content equivalent to that of the compositions of the prior art, have superior foaming performance. Above all, the present invention makes it possible to formulate compositions that may contain smaller amounts of surfactants than the compositions of the prior art, while at the same time having at least equivalent or even superior foaming performance.

In addition, the composition according to the invention has good cosmetic properties, and especially affords good conditioning of keratin materials and especially of the hair, including when they are sensitized.

The composition according to the invention may also have a thickened texture, which allows it to be spread on the hair while avoiding running into the eyes, for example; it has also been found that the composition according to the invention is particularly stable, even though of thickened texture.

By implementing the invention, it is thus possible to obtain thickened foaming compositions without the need to add thickeners other than salt (for example NaCl), which might harm the stability of said composition and/or its foaming properties.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention has a viscosity, measured at 25° C. and 1 atm., of between 1 and 20 Pa·s, better still between 3 and 15 Pa·s and most particularly between 4 and 12 Pa·s.

The viscosity is preferably measured using a Haake Mars rheometer in cone-plate geometry, with a diameter of 60 mm/1° (titanium). The temperature is regulated by a Peltier-effect plane at 25° C., and the shear rate is 200 s⁻¹.

The viscosity may also be measured using a Rheomat 180 machine at 25° C. and 1 atm., with a 3 or 4 spindle, the spin speed being 200 rpm and the measuring time 10 minutes, the shear rate being 200 s⁻¹.

In the present description, the expression “at least one” is equivalent to the expression “one or more” and can be replaced therewith.

In the present description, the expression “between” is equivalent to the expression “ranging from” and can be replaced therewith; in these expressions, the limits are considered as being included.

(I) Linear α-Olefin Sulfonates (or Linear Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates)

The cosmetic composition according to the invention thus comprises one or more linear α-olefin sulfonates, preferably comprising 8 to 28 carbon atoms, especially from 10 to 24 carbon atoms, better still from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and in particular from 14 to 18 carbon atoms.

Said α-olefin sulfonates are known compounds and are described especially in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry or in U.S. Pat. No. 8,211,850. These compounds are generally obtained by sulfonation of long-chain α-olefins.

The linear α-olefin sulfonates according to the invention generally comprise, in a known manner, a mixture of linear alkene sulfonates, especially of formula (A), optionally as a mixture with linear hydroxyalkane sulfonates, especially of formula (B).

Said linear alkene sulfonates may thus be of formula (A):

R—CH₂—CH═CH—(CH₂)n—SO₃M

in which:

-   -   R is a saturated linear alkyl radical comprising from 4 to 30         carbon atoms, especially from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or even from         8 to 18 carbon atoms and better still from 10 to 14 carbon         atoms;     -   n is an integer between 0 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4 and         better still n=1;     -   M is a cosmetically acceptable cation, chosen especially from         the ammonium cation, cations derived from alkali metals or         alkaline-earth metals, cations derived from organic amines such         as alkanolamines; preferably those derived from alkali metals;         and especially Na+ or K+.

Preferably, R represents a linear alkyl radical comprising from 8 to 14 carbon atoms, especially from 10 to 12 carbon atoms.

Preferably, M is derived from an alkali metal, especially Na+ or K+.

Preferably, the linear alkene sulfonates according to the invention have the formula:

in which:

-   -   R is a saturated linear alkyl radical comprising from 4 to 20         carbon atoms, especially from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or even from         8 to 14 carbon atoms and better still from 10 to 12 carbon         atoms;     -   M is a cosmetically acceptable cation, chosen especially from         the ammonium cation, cations derived from alkali metals or         alkaline-earth metals, cations derived from organic amines such         as alkanolamines; preferably those derived from alkali metals or         alkali metals; and especially Na+ or K+.

The linear hydroxyalkane sulfonates may be of formula (B):

R′—CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—(CH₂)n′-SO₃M′  (B)

in which:

-   -   R′ is a saturated linear alkyl radical comprising from 4 to 30         carbon atoms, especially from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or even from         8 to 18 carbon atoms and better still from 10 to 14 carbon         atoms;     -   n′ is an integer between 0 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4         and better still n′=1;     -   M′ is a cosmetically acceptable cation, chosen especially from         the ammonium cation, cations derived from alkali metals or         alkaline-earth metals, cations derived from organic amines such         as alkanolamines; preferably those derived from alkali metals;         and especially Na+ or K+.

Preferably, R′ represents a linear alkyl radical comprising from 8 to 14 carbon atoms, especially from 10 to 12 carbon atoms.

Preferably, M′ is derived from an alkali metal, especially Na+ or K+.

Preferably, the linear hydroxyalkane sulfonates have the formula:

in which:

-   -   R′ is a saturated linear alkyl radical comprising from 4 to 20         carbon atoms, especially from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or even from         8 to 14 carbon atoms and better still from 10 to 12 carbon         atoms;     -   M′ is a cosmetically acceptable cation, chosen especially from         the ammonium cation, cations derived from alkali metals or         alkaline-earth metals, cations derived from organic amines such         as alkanolamines; preferably those derived from alkali metals or         alkali metals; and especially Na+ or K+.

Preferably, R and R′ are identical.

Preferably, M and M′ are identical.

Preferably, the linear α-olefin sulfonates according to the invention are chosen from linear α-olefin sulfonates comprising 8 to 28 carbon atoms, especially from 10 to 24 carbon atoms, better still from 12 to 20 carbon atoms, in particular from 14 to 18 carbon atoms; in particular of alkali metals, especially of sodium.

Commercial products that may especially be mentioned include those sold under the name Bio-Terge AS-40A or Bio-Terge AS-40HA by the company Stepan, or Calsoft AOS-40 by the company Pilot Chemical, or alternatively Nansa LSS38/AV by the company Huntsman.

Preferably, the cosmetic composition according to the invention comprises said linear α-olefin sulfonates in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight, especially from 4% to 18% by weight and preferably from 6% to 16% by weight, relative to the total weight of the cosmetic composition.

(ii) Additional Non-Oxyalkylenated Anionic Surfactants

The composition according to the invention also comprises one or more non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants other than the linear alpha-olefin sulfonates above.

The term “anionic surfactant” means a surfactant comprising, as ionic or ionizable groups, only anionic groups.

In the present description, a species is termed “anionic” when it bears at least one permanent negative charge or when it can be ionized into a negatively charged species, under the conditions of use of the composition of the invention (for example the medium or the pH) and not comprising any cationic charge.

The term “non-oxyalkylenated surfactant” is intended to mean a surfactant not comprising an alkylene oxide unit, in particular not comprising an ethylene oxide (OCH₂CH₂) unit, a propylene oxide unit or a butylene oxide unit.

Said anionic surfactants are preferably chosen from sulfonate surfactants and carboxylate surfactants. Needless to say, a mixture of these surfactants may be used.

It is understood in the present description that:

-   -   the carboxylate anionic surfactants comprise at least one         carboxylic or carboxylate function (—COOH or —COO—) and may         optionally also comprise one or more sulfate and/or sulfonate         functions;     -   the sulfonate anionic surfactants comprise at least one         sulfonate function (—SO₃H or —SO₃—) and may optionally also         comprise one or more sulfate functions, but do not comprise any         carboxylate functions.

The carboxylic anionic surfactants that may be used thus comprise at least one carboxylic or carboxylate function (—COOH or —COO—).

They may be chosen from the following compounds: acylglycinates, acyllactylates, acylsarcosinates, acylglutamates, alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylamidesulfosuccinates, and also the salts of these compounds;

the alkyl and/or acyl groups of these compounds comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, especially from 12 to 28, better still from 14 to 24 or even from 16 to 22, carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably denoting a phenyl or benzyl group; these compounds not being polyoxyalkylenated, especially polyoxyethylenated.

The sulfonate anionic surfactants, other than the compounds (i), that may be used comprise at least one sulfonate function (—SO₃H or —SO₃—).

They may be chosen from the following compounds: alkylsulfonates, alkylamidesulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkylsulfoacetates, N-acyltaurates, acylisethionates, alkylsulfolaurates; and also the salts of these compounds;

the alkyl groups of these compounds comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, especially from 12 to 28, better still from 14 to 24 or even from 16 to 22, carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably denoting a phenyl or benzyl group; these compounds not being polyoxyalkylenated, in particular polyoxyethylenated.

When the anionic surfactant is in salt form, said salt may be chosen from alkali metal salts, such as the sodium or potassium salt, ammonium salts, amine salts and in particular amino alcohol salts, and alkaline-earth metal salts, such as the magnesium salt. Examples of amino alcohol salts that may be mentioned include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine salts, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine or triisopropanolamine salts, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol salts, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol salts and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane salts. Alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts and in particular the sodium or magnesium salts are preferably used.

Preferentially, said anionic surfactants are chosen, alone or as a mixture, from:

-   -   acylglutamates, especially of C₆-C₂₄ or even C₁₂-C₂₀, such as         stearoylglutamates, and in particular disodium         stearoylglutamate;     -   acylsarcosinates, especially of C₆-C₂₄ or even C₁₂-C₂₀, such as         palmitoylsarcosinates and lauroylsarcosinates, and in particular         sodium palmitoylsarcosinate or sodium lauroylsarcosinate;     -   acyllactylates, especially of C₁₂-C₂₈ or even C₁₄-C₂₄, such as         behenoyllactylates, and in particular sodium behenoyllactylate;     -   C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ acylglycinates;     -   C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ N-acyltaurates;     -   C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ alkylsulfosuccinates, especially         laurylsulfosuccinates, in particular of sodium;     -   (C₆-C₂₄)acylisethionates, preferably (C₁₂-C₁₈)acylisethionates,         and most particularly cocoylisethionates, especially of sodium;     -   C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ alkylsulfoacetates;         in particular in the form of alkali metal or alkaline-earth         metal, ammonium or amino alcohol salts.

Even more preferentially, said anionic surfactants are chosen, alone or as a mixture, from:

-   -   acylsarcosinates, especially of C₆-C₂₄ or even C₁₂-C₂₀, such as         palmitoylsarcosinates and lauroylsarcosinates, and in particular         sodium palmitoylsarcosinate or sodium lauroylsarcosinate;     -   C₆-C₂₄ and in particular C₁₂-C₂₀ alkylsulfosuccinates,         especially laurylsulfosuccinates, in particular of sodium;     -   (C₆-C₂₄)acylisethionates, preferably (C₁₂-C₁₈)acylisethionates,         and most particularly cocoylisethionates, especially of sodium;     -   C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ alkylsulfoacetates;     -   C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ N-acyltaurates;         in particular in the form of alkali metal or alkaline-earth         metal, ammonium or amino alcohol salts.

The non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactant(s) other than the compounds (i) are present in the composition in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight, especially from 1.5% to 15% by weight, better still from 2% to 10% by weight and even better still from 3% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The weight ratio of the amount of linear α-olefin sulfonates (i) to the amount of non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants (ii) other than the compounds (i) is advantageously greater than or equal to 1 (weight ratio (i)/(ii)≧1), preferably between 1.2 and 12, especially between 1.5 and 10, or even between 1.8 and 8, better still ranging from 2 to 7, or even from 2 to 4.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention is said to be “sulfate-free”, i.e. it does not comprise any (0%) anionic surfactants comprising sulfate groups, for instance alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates.

In one particular embodiment, the composition may comprise, as optional surfactant, one or more oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants, which can be chosen from:

-   -   alkyl ether carboxylic acids, alkyl(C₆-C₃ aryl) ether carboxylic         acids, alkylamido ether carboxylic acids, alkyl ether         sulfosuccinates, alkylamido ether sulfosuccinates, and also the         salts of these compounds; these compounds being         polyoxyalkylenated, in particular polyoxyethylenated, and then         preferably comprising from 1 to 50 ethylene oxide units, better         still from 2 to 10 ethylene oxide units; the alkyl and/or acyl         groups of these compounds comprising from 6 to carbon atoms,         especially from 12 to 18, even better still from 14 to 24, or         even from 16 to 22 carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably         denoting a phenyl or benzyl group;     -   alkylsulfonates, alkylamidesulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates,         paraffin sulfonates, alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylsulfoacetates,         N-acyltaurates, acylisothionates, alkylsulfolaurates; and also         the salts of these compounds; these compounds being         polyoxyalkylenated, especially polyoxyethylenated, and then         preferably comprising from 1 to 50 ethylene oxide units, better         still from 2 to 10 ethylene oxide units; the alkyl groups of         these compounds comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, especially         from 12 to 28, even better still from 14 to 24, or even from 16         to 22, carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably denoting a phenyl         or benzyl group.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the composition does not comprise (0%) of oxyethylenated anionic surfactant.

(iii) Additional Nonionic and Amphoteric Surfactants

The composition according to the invention also comprises one or more additional surfactants chosen from nonionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants.

The nonionic surfactants that may be used may be chosen from alcohols, α-diols and (C₁₋₂₀)alkylphenols, these compounds being polyethoxylated and/or polypropoxylated and/or polyglycerolated, the number of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide groups possibly ranging from 1 to 100, and the number of glycerol groups possibly ranging from 2 to 30; and/or these compounds comprising at least one fatty chain comprising from 8 to 30 carbon atoms and especially from 16 to 30 carbon atoms.

Mention may also be made of condensates of ethylene oxide and of propylene oxide with fatty alcohols; polyethoxylated fatty amides preferably having from 2 to ethylene oxide units, polyglycerolated fatty amides comprising on average from 1 to 5, and in particular from 1.5 to 4, glycerol groups; C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid alkanolamides, such as C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoalkanolamides, in particular C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoethanolamides or monoisopropanolamides; ethoxylated fatty acid esters of sorbitan preferably containing from 2 to 40 ethylene oxide units, fatty acid esters of sucrose, polyoxyalkylenated and preferably polyoxyethylenated fatty acid esters containing from 2 to 150 mol of ethylene oxide, including oxyethylenated plant oils, N—(C₆₋₂₄ alkyl)glucamine derivatives, amine oxides such as (C₁₀₋₁₄ alkyl)amine oxides or N—(C₁₀₋₁₄ acyl)aminopropylmorpholine oxides.

Mention may also be made of nonionic surfactants of alkylpolyglycoside type, represented especially by the following general formula: R₁O—(R₂O)_(t)-(G)_(v) in which:

-   -   R₁ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical         comprising 6 to 24 carbon atoms and especially 8 to 18 carbon         atoms, or an alkylphenyl radical whose linear or branched alkyl         radical comprises 6 to 24 carbon atoms and especially 8 to 18         carbon atoms;     -   R₂ represents an alkylene radical comprising 2 to 4 carbon         atoms,     -   G represents a sugar unit comprising 5 to 6 carbon atoms,     -   t denotes a value ranging from 0 to 10 and preferably 0 to 4,     -   v denotes a value ranging from 1 to 15 and preferably 1 to 4.

Preferably, the alkylpolyglycoside surfactants are compounds of the formula described above in which:

-   -   R₁ denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl         radical comprising from 8 to 18 carbon atoms,     -   R₂ represents an alkylene radical comprising 2 to 4 carbon         atoms,     -   t denotes a value ranging from 0 to 3 and preferably equal to 0,     -   G denotes glucose, fructose or galactose, preferably glucose;     -   the degree of polymerization, i.e. the value of v, possibly         ranging from 1 to 15 and preferably from 1 to 4; the mean degree         of polymerization more particularly being between 1 and 2.

The glucoside bonds between the sugar units are generally of 1-6 or 1-4 type and preferably of 1-4 type. Preferably, the alkylpolyglycoside surfactant is an alkylpolyglucoside surfactant. C₈/C₁₆ alkyl polyglycosides 1,4, and especially decyl glucosides and caprylyl/capryl glucosides, are most particularly preferred.

Among the commercial products, mention may be made of the products sold by the company Cognis under the names Plantaren® (600 CS/U, 1200 and 2000) or Plantacare® (818, 1200 and 2000); the products sold by the company SEPPIC under the names Oramix CG 110 and Oramix® NS 10; the products sold by the company BASF under the name Lutensol GD 70, or else the products sold by the company Chem Y under the name AG10 LK.

Preferably, use is made of C₈/C₁₆-alkyl polyglycosides 1,4, especially as an aqueous 53% solution, such as those sold by Cognis under the reference Plantacare® 818 UP.

Preferentially, the nonionic surfactants are chosen from (C₆₋₂₄ alkyl)polyglycosides, and more particularly (C₈₋₁₈ alkyl)polyglycosides, ethoxylated C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid esters of sorbitan, polyethoxylated C₈-C₃₀ fatty alcohols, polyoxyethylenated C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid esters, these compounds preferably containing from 2 to 150 mol of ethylene oxide, and C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid alkanolamides such as C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoalkanolamides, in particular C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoethanolamides or monoisopropanolamides, and mixtures thereof.

The amphoteric surfactants that may be used in the invention may be optionally quaternized secondary or tertiary aliphatic amine derivatives, in which the aliphatic group is a linear or branched chain comprising from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, said amine derivatives containing at least one anionic group, for instance a carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate group.

Mention may be made in particular of (C₈-C₂₀)alkylbetaines, sulfobetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylsulfobetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamido(C₁-C₆)alkylbetaines, such as cocamidopropylbetaine, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamido(C₁-C₆)alkylsulfobetaines, and also mixtures thereof.

Among the optionally quaternized secondary or tertiary aliphatic amine derivatives that may be used, mention may also be made of the products having the following respective structures (A1) and (A2):

R_(a)—CON(Z)CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)—N⁺(R_(b))(R_(c))(CH₂COO⁻)  (A1)

in which: R_(a) represents a C₁₀-C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl group derived from an acid R_(a)—COOH preferably present in hydrolyzed coconut oil, or a heptyl, nonyl or undecyl group, R_(b) represents a β-hydroxyethyl group, R_(c) represents a carboxymethyl group; m is equal to 0, 1 or 2, Z represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyethyl or carboxymethyl group,

R_(a′)—CON(Z)CH₂—(CH₂)_(m′)—N(B)(B′)  (A2)

in which: B represents —CH₂CH₂OX′, with X′ representing —CH₂—COOH, CH₂—COOZ′, —CH₂CH₂—COOH, —CH₂CH₂—COOZ′, or a hydrogen atom, B′ represents —(CH₂)_(z)—Y′, with z=1 or 2, and Y′ representing —COOH, —COOZ′, —CH₂—CHOH—SO₃H or —CH₂—CHOH—SO₃Z′, m′ is equal to 0, 1 or 2, Z represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyethyl or carboxymethyl group, Z′ represents an ion derived from an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, such as sodium, potassium or magnesium; an ammonium ion; or an ion derived from an organic amine and especially from an amino alcohol, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine or triisopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane.

R_(a′) represents a C₁₀-C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl group of an acid R_(a′) COOH preferably present in hydrolyzed linseed oil or coconut oil, an alkyl group, especially a C₁₇ alkyl group, and its iso form, or an unsaturated C₁₇ group.

The compounds corresponding to formula (A2) are particularly preferred. Among the compounds of formula (A2) for which X′ represents a hydrogen atom, mention may be made of the compounds known under the (CTFA) names sodium cocoamphoacetate, sodium lauroamphoacetate, sodium caproamphoacetate and sodium capryloamphoacetate.

Other compounds of formula (A2) are known under the (CTFA) names disodium cocoamphodiacetate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, disodium capro-amphodiacetate, disodium capryloamphodiacetate, disodium coco-amphodipropionate, disodium lauroamphodipropionate, disodium capro-amphodipropionate, disodium capryloamphodipropionate, lauroamphodipropionic acid and cocoamphodipropionic acid.

As examples of compounds of formula (A2), mention may be made of the cocoamphodiacetate sold by the company Rhodia under the trade name Miranol® C2M Concentrate, the sodium cocoamphoacetate sold under the trade name Miranol Ultra C 32 and the product sold by the company Chimex under the trade name Chimexane HA.

Use may also be made of compounds of formula (A3):

R_(a″)—NH—CH(Y″)—(CH₂)n—C(O)—NH—(CH₂)n′—N(R_(d))(R_(e))  (A3)

in which:

-   -   R_(a″) represents a C₁₀-C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl group of an acid     -   R_(a″)—C(O)OH, which is preferably present in hydrolyzed linseed         oil or coconut oil;     -   Y″ represents the group —C(O)OH, —C(O)OZ″, —CH₂—CH(OH)—SO₃H or         the group —CH₂—CH(OH)—SO₃—Z″, with Z″ representing a cation         resulting from an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, such as         sodium, an ammonium ion or an ion resulting from an organic         amine;     -   R_(d) and R_(e), independently of each other, represent a C₁-C₄         alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical; and     -   n and n′, independently of each other, denote an integer ranging         from 1 to 3.

Among the compounds of formula (A3), mention may in particular be made of the compound classified in the CTFA dictionary under the name sodium diethylaminopropyl cocoaspartamide and in particular the compound sold by the company Chimex under the name Chimexane HB.

Preferably, the amphoteric surfactants are chosen from (C₈-C₂₀)alkylbetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamido(C₁-C₆)alkylbetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamphoacetates and (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamphodiacetates, and mixtures thereof.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the cosmetic composition comprises at least one nonionic surfactant and at least one amphoteric surfactant. Preferentially, in this embodiment, the nonionic surfactant is chosen from (C₆₋₂₄ alkyl)polyglycosides, and more particularly (C₈₋₁₈ alkyl)polyglycosides, ethoxylated C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid esters of sorbitan, polyethoxylated C₈-C₃₀ fatty alcohols and polyoxyethylenated C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid esters, these compounds preferably containing from 2 to 150 mol of ethylene oxide, C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid alkanolamides such as C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoalkanolamides, in particular C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoethanolamides or monoisopropanolamides, and mixtures thereof; and better still the nonionic surfactant is chosen from C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid alkanolamides, such as C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoalkanolamides, in particular C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoethanolamides or monoisopropanolamides.

Preferentially, in this embodiment, the amphoteric surfactants are chosen from (C₆-C₂₀)alkylbetaines, (C₆-C₂₀)alkylamido(C₁-C₆)alkylbetaines, (C₆-C₂₀)alkylamphoacetates and (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamphodiacetates, and mixtures thereof.

The composition according to the invention preferably comprises said additional nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactant(s) in a total amount ranging from 0.5% to 20% by weight, especially from 1% to 15% by weight, preferentially from 1.5% to 12% by weight or even from 2% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises one or more amphoteric surfactants, which are preferably present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 15% by weight, especially from 1% to 10% by weight and preferentially from 1.5% to 8% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

In one particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises a total content of surfactants (linear olefin sulfonates (i)+anionic surfactants (ii)+amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants (iii)+cationic surfactants, where appropriate) of less than or equal to 25% by weight, in particular less than or equal to 22% by weight, especially less than or equal to 20% by weight, and better still less than or equal to 18% by weight, relative to the total weight of said composition.

Electrolyte

The composition according to the invention may also comprise one or more electrolytes chosen, for example, from mineral salts of alkali metals or alkaline-earth metals, such as sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and even more preferentially chosen from mineral salts of monovalent alkali metals or alkaline-earth metals, and in particular sodium chloride.

The composition according to the invention preferably comprises said electrolyte(s) in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 10% by weight, especially from 0.05% to 5% by weight, better still from 0.1% to 3% by weight or even from 0.15% to 2% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Amphoteric or Cationic Polymers

The composition according to the invention may also comprise one or more polymers chosen from amphoteric or cationic polymers, and also mixtures thereof.

The term “cationic polymer” means any polymer comprising cationic groups and/or groups that can be ionized to cationic groups. Preferably, the cationic polymer is hydrophilic or amphiphilic. The preferred cationic polymers are chosen from those that contain units comprising primary, secondary, tertiary and/or quaternary amine groups that may either form part of the main polymer chain or may be borne by a side substituent directly connected thereto.

The cationic polymers that may be used preferably have a weight-average molar mass (Mw) of between 500 and 5×10⁶ approximately and preferably between 10³ and 3×10⁶ approximately.

Among the cationic polymers, mention may be made more particularly of: (1) homopolymers or copolymers derived from acrylic or methacrylic esters or amides and comprising at least one of the units of the following formulae:

in which:

-   -   R₃, which may be identical or different, denote a hydrogen atom         or a CH₃ radical;     -   A, which may be identical or different, represent a linear or         branched divalent alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably         2 or 3 carbon atoms, or a hydroxyalkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon         atoms;     -   R₄, R₅ and R₆, which may be identical or different, represent an         alkyl group containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a benzyl         radical, preferably an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon         atoms;     -   R₁ and R₂, which may be identical or different, represent a         hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon         atoms, preferably methyl or ethyl;     -   X denotes an anion derived from a mineral or organic acid, such         as a methosulfate anion or a halide such as chloride or bromide.

The copolymers of family (1) may also contain one or more units derived from comonomers that may be chosen from the family of acrylamides, methacrylamides, diacetone acrylamides, acrylamides and methacrylamides substituted on the nitrogen with lower (C₁-C₄) alkyls, acrylic or methacrylic acids or esters thereof, vinyllactams such as vinylpyrrolidone or vinylcaprolactam, and vinyl esters.

Among these copolymers of family (1), mention may be made of:

-   -   copolymers of acrylamide and of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate         quaternized with dimethyl sulfate or with a dimethyl halide,         such as that sold under the name Hercofloc by the company         Hercules,     -   copolymers of acrylamide and of         methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride, such as the         products sold under the name Bina Quat P 100 by the company Ciba         Geigy,     -   the copolymer of acrylamide and of         methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium methosulfate, such as that         sold under the name Reten by the company Hercules,     -   quaternized or non-quaternized         vinylpyrrolidone/dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate         copolymers, such as the products sold under the name Gafquat by         the company ISP, for instance Gafquat 734 or Gafquat 755, or         alternatively the products known as Copolymer 845, 958 and 937.         These polymers are described in detail in French patents 2 077         143 and 2 393 573,     -   dimethylaminoethyl         methacrylate/vinylcaprolactam/vinylpyrrolidone terpolymers, such         as the product sold under the name Gaffix VC 713 by the company         ISP,     -   vinylpyrrolidone/methacrylamidopropyldimethylamine copolymers,         such as the copolymers sold under the name Styleze CC 10 by ISP,     -   vinylpyrrolidone/quaternized dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide         copolymers such as the product sold under the name Gafquat HS         100 by the company ISP,     -   preferably crosslinked polymers of         methacryloyloxy(C₁-C₄)alkyltri(C₁-C₄)alkylammonium salts, such         as the polymers obtained by homopolymerization of         dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate quaternized with methyl         chloride, or by copolymerization of acrylamide with         dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate quaternized with methyl         chloride, the homopolymerization or copolymerization being         followed by crosslinking with an olefinically unsaturated         compound, in particular methylenebisacrylamide. Use may be made         more particularly of a crosslinked         acrylamide/methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride         copolymer (20/80 by weight) in the form of a dispersion         comprising 50% by weight of said copolymer in mineral oil. This         dispersion is sold under the name Salcare® SC 92 by the company         Ciba. Use may also be made of a crosslinked         methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride homopolymer         comprising approximately 50% by weight of the homopolymer in         mineral oil or in a liquid ester. These dispersions are sold         under the names Salcare® SC 95 and Salcare® SC 96 by the company         Ciba.

(2) cationic polysaccharides, especially cationic galactomannan gums and celluloses. Among the cationic polysaccharides, mention may be made more particularly of cellulose ether derivatives comprising quaternary ammonium groups, cationic cellulose copolymers or cellulose derivatives grafted with a water-soluble quaternary ammonium monomer and cationic galactomannan gums.

The cellulose ether derivatives comprising quaternary ammonium groups are in particular described in FR 1 492 597, and mention may be made of the polymers sold under the name Ucare Polymer JR (JR 400 LT, JR 125 and JR 30M) or LR (LR 400 and LR 30M) by the company Amerchol. These polymers are also defined in the CTFA dictionary as quaternary ammoniums of hydroxyethylcellulose that have reacted with an epoxide substituted with a trimethylammonium group. Cationic cellulose copolymers or cellulose derivatives grafted with a water-soluble quaternary ammonium monomer are described in particular in patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,576, and mention may be made of hydroxyalkyl celluloses, for instance hydroxymethyl-, hydroxyethyl- or hydroxypropylcelluloses grafted, in particular, with a methacryloylethyltrimethylammonium, methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium or dimethyldiallylammonium salt. The commercial products corresponding to this definition are more particularly the products sold under the names Celquat L 200 and Celquat H 100 by the company National Starch.

The cationic galactomannan gums are described more particularly in patents U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,578 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,307, and mention may be made of guar gums comprising cationic trialkylammonium groups. Use is made, for example, of guar gums modified with a 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium salt (for example, chloride). Such products are in particular sold under the names Jaguar C13 S, Jaguar C 15, Jaguar C 17 and Jaguar C162 by the company Rhodia.

(3) polymers formed from piperazinyl units and divalent alkylene or hydroxyalkylene radicals containing linear or branched chains, optionally interrupted with oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atoms or with aromatic or heterocyclic rings, and also the oxidation and/or quaternization products of these polymers.

(4) water-soluble polyaminoamides prepared in particular by polycondensation of an acidic compound with a polyamine; these polyaminoamides can be crosslinked with an epihalohydrin, a diepoxide, a dianhydride, an unsaturated dianhydride, a bis-unsaturated derivative, a bis-halohydrin, a bis-azetidinium, a bis-haloacyldiamine, a bis-alkyl halide or alternatively with an oligomer resulting from the reaction of a difunctional compound which is reactive with a bis-halohydrin, a bis-azetidinium, a bis-haloacyldiamine, a bis-alkyl halide, an epihalohydrin, a diepoxide or a bis-unsaturated derivative; the crosslinking agent being used in proportions ranging from 0.025 to 0.35 mol per amine group of the polyaminoamide; these polyaminoamides can be alkylated or, if they comprise one or more tertiary amine functions, they can be quaternized.

(5) polyaminoamide derivatives resulting from the condensation of polyalkylene polyamines with polycarboxylic acids followed by alkylation with difunctional agents. Mention may be made, for example, of adipic acid/dialkylaminohydroxyalkyldialkylenetriamine polymers in which the alkyl radical comprises from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and preferably denotes methyl, ethyl or propyl. Among these derivatives, mention may be made more particularly of the adipic acid/dimethylaminohydroxypropyl/diethylenetriamine polymers sold under the name Cartaretine F, F4 or F8 by the company Sandoz.

(6) polymers obtained by reacting a polyalkylene polyamine comprising two primary amine groups and at least one secondary amine group with a dicarboxylic acid chosen from diglycolic acid and saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms; the mole ratio between the polyalkylene polyamine and the dicarboxylic acid preferably being between 0.8:1 and 1.4:1; the resulting polyamino amide being reacted with epichlorohydrin in a mole ratio of epichlorohydrin relative to the secondary amine group of the polyaminoamide preferably of between 0.5:1 and 1.8:1. Polymers of this type are sold in particular under the name Hercosett 57 by Hercules Inc. or else under the name PD 170 or Delsette 101 by Hercules in the case of the adipic acid/epoxypropyl/diethylenetriamine copolymer.

(7) cyclopolymers of alkyldiallylamine or of dialkyldiallylammonium, such as the homopolymers or copolymers containing, as main constituent of the chain, units corresponding to formula (I) or (II):

in which

-   -   k and t are equal to 0 or 1, the sum k+t being equal to 1;     -   R₁₂ denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical;     -   R₁₀ and R₁₁, independently of each other, denote an alkyl group         containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group in         which the alkyl group contains 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a C₁-C₄         amidoalkyl group; or alternatively R₁₀ and R₁₁ may denote,         together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached,         heterocyclic groups such as piperidyl or morpholinyl; R₁₀ and         R₁₁, independently of each other, preferably denote an alkyl         group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;     -   Y⁻ is an anion such as bromide, chloride, acetate, borate,         citrate, tartrate, bisulfate, bisulfite, sulfate or phosphate.

Mention may be made more particularly of the dimethyldiallylammonium salts (for example chloride) homopolymer for example sold under the name Merquat 100 by the company Nalco (and homologs thereof of low weight-average molar masses) and the copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium and acrylamide salts (for example chloride), sold in particular under the name Merquat 550 or Merquat 7SPR.

(8) quaternary diammonium polymers comprising repeating units of formula:

in which:

-   -   R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆, which may be identical or different,         represent aliphatic, alicyclic or arylaliphatic radicals         comprising from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or lower         hydroxyalkylaliphatic radicals, or else R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆,         together or separately, constitute, with the nitrogen atoms to         which they are attached, heterocycles optionally comprising a         second non-nitrogen heteroatom, or else R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆         represent a linear or branched C₁-C₆ alkyl radical substituted         with a nitrile, ester, acyl, amide or —CO—O—R₁₇-D or         —CO—NH—R₁₇-D group in which R₁₇ is an alkylene and D is a         quaternary ammonium group;     -   A₁ and B₁ represent divalent polymethylene groups comprising         from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, which may be linear or branched,         saturated or unsaturated, and which may contain, linked to or         intercalated in the main chain, one or more aromatic rings or         one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms or sulfoxide, sulfone,         disulfide, amino, alkylamino, hydroxyl, quaternary ammonium,         ureido, amide or ester groups, and     -   X⁻ denotes an anion derived from a mineral or organic acid;         it being understood that A₁, R₁₃ and R₁₅ can form, with the two         nitrogen atoms to which they are attached, a piperazine ring;         in addition, if A₁ denotes a linear or branched, saturated or         unsaturated alkylene or hydroxyalkylene radical, B₁ may also         denote a group (CH₂)_(n)—CO-D-OC—(CH₂)_(n)— in which D denotes:     -   a) a glycol residue of formula —O—Z—O—, in which Z denotes a         linear or branched hydrocarbon-based radical, or a group         corresponding to one of the following formulae:         —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(x)—CH₂—CH₂—; —[CH₂—CH(CH₃)—O]_(y)—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—, in         which x and y denote an integer from 1 to 4, representing a         defined and unique degree of polymerization or any number from 1         to 4 representing an average degree of polymerization;     -   b) a bis-secondary diamine residue, such as a piperazine         derivative;     -   c) a bis-primary diamine residue of formula: —NH—Y—NH—, where Y         denotes a linear or branched hydrocarbon-based radical, or else         the divalent radical —CH₂—CH₂—S—S—CH₂—CH₂—;     -   d) a ureylene group of formula: —NH—CO—NH—.

Preferably, X⁻ is an anion, such as chloride or bromide. These polymers have a number-average molar mass (Mn) generally of between 1000 and 100 000.

Mention may be made more particularly of polymers that are composed of repeating units corresponding to the formula:

in which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄, which may be identical or different, denote an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms approximately, n and p are integers ranging from 2 to 20 approximately, and X⁻ is an anion derived from a mineral or organic acid.

A particularly preferred compound of formula (IV) is the one for which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ represent a methyl radical and n=3, p=6 and X═Cl, known as Hexadimethrine chloride according to the INCI (CTFA) nomenclature.

(9) polyquaternary ammonium polymers comprising units of formula (V):

in which:

-   -   R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀ and R₂₁, which may be identical or different,         represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl, ethyl, propyl,         β-hydroxyethyl, β-hydroxypropyl or —CH₂CH₂(OCH₂CH₂)_(p)OH         radical, in which p is equal to 0 or to an integer between 1 and         6, with the proviso that R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀ and R₂₁ do not         simultaneously represent a hydrogen atom,     -   r and s, which may be identical or different, are integers         between 1 and 6,     -   q is equal to 0 or to an integer between 1 and 34,     -   X⁻ denotes an anion such as a halide,     -   A denotes a dihalide radical or preferably represents         —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—.

Examples that may be mentioned include the products Mirapol® A 15, Mirapol® AD1, Mirapol® AZ1 and Mirapol® 175 sold by the company Miranol.

(10) quaternary polymers of vinylpyrrolidone and of vinylimidazole, for instance the products sold under the names Luviquat® FC 905, FC 550 and FC 370 by the company BASF.

(11) polyamines such as Polyquart® H sold by Cognis, referred to under the name Polyethylene glycol (15) tallow polyamine in the CTFA dictionary.

(12) polymers comprising in their structure:

(a) one or more units corresponding to formula (A) below:

(b) optionally one or more units corresponding to formula (B) below:

In other words, these polymers may be chosen in particular from homopolymers or copolymers comprising one or more units derived from vinylamine and optionally one or more units derived from vinylformamide.

Preferably, these cationic polymers are chosen from polymers comprising, in their structure, from 5 mol % to 100 mol % of units corresponding to the formula (A) and from 0 to 95 mol % of units corresponding to the formula (B), preferably from mol % to 100 mol % of units corresponding to the formula (A) and from 0 to 90 mol % of units corresponding to the formula (B).

These polymers may be obtained, for example, by partial hydrolysis of polyvinylformamide. This hydrolysis may take place in acidic or basic medium.

The weight-average molecular mass of said polymer, measured by light scattering, may range from 1000 to 3 000 000 g/mol, preferably from 10 000 to 1 000 000 and more particularly from 100 000 to 500 000 g/mol.

The cationic charge density of these polymers may range from 2 meq/g to meq/g, preferably from 2.5 to 15 and more particularly from 3.5 to 10 meq/g.

The polymers comprising units of formula (A) and optionally units of formula (B) are sold in particular under the Lupamin name by BASF, for instance, in a non-limiting way, the products provided under the names Lupamin 9095, Lupamin 5095, Lupamin 1095, Lupamin 9030 (or Luviquat 9030) and Lupamin 9010.

Preferably, the cationic polymers are chosen from those of families (1), (2), (7) and (10) mentioned above.

Among the cationic polymers mentioned above, the ones that may preferably be used are cationic polysaccharides, in particular cationic celluloses and cationic galactomannan gums, and in particular quaternary cellulose ether derivatives such as the products sold under the name JR 400 by the company Amerchol, cationic cyclopolymers, in particular dimethyldiallylammonium salt (for example chloride) homopolymers or copolymers, sold under the names Merquat 100, Merquat 550 and Merquat S by the company Nalco, and homologs thereof of low weight-average molecular weights, quaternary polymers of vinylpyrrolidone and of vinylimidazole, optionally crosslinked homopolymers or copolymers of methacryloyloxy(C₁-C₄)alkyltri(C₁-C₄)alkylammonium salts, and mixtures thereof.

It is also possible to use amphoteric polymers, which may preferably be chosen from amphoteric polymers comprising the repetition of:

(i) one or more units derived from a (meth)acrylamide-type monomer, (ii) one or more units derived from a (meth)acrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium-type monomer, and (iii) one or more units derived from a (meth)acrylic acid-type acid monomer.

Preferably, the units derived from a (meth)acrylamide-type monomer (i) are units of structure (la) below:

in which R₁ denotes H or CH₃ and R₂ is chosen from an amino, dimethylamino, tert-butylamino, dodecylamino and —NH—CH₂OH radical.

Preferably, said amphoteric polymer comprises the repetition of only one unit of formula (Ia).

The unit derived from a monomer of (meth)acrylamide type of formula (Ia) in which R₁ denotes H and R₂ is an amino radical (NH₂) is particularly preferred. It corresponds to the acrylamide monomer per se.

Preferably, the units resulting from a (meth)acrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium-type monomer (ii) are units of structure (IIa) below:

in which:

-   -   R₃ denotes H or CH₃,     -   R₄ denotes a group (CH₂)_(k) with k being an integer ranging         from 1 to 6 and preferably from 2 to 4;     -   R₅, R₆, and R₇, which may be identical or different, each denote         an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;     -   Y⁻ is an anion such as bromide, chloride, acetate, borate,         citrate, tartrate, bisulfate, bisulfite, sulfate or phosphate.

Preferably, said amphoteric polymer comprises the repetition of only one unit of formula (IIa).

Among these units derived from a (meth)acrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium-type monomer of formula (IIa), the ones that are preferred are those derived from the methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride monomer, for which R₃ denotes a methyl radical, k is equal to 3, R₅, R₆ and R₇ denote a methyl radical, and Y-denotes a chloride anion.

Preferably, the units derived from a (meth)acrylic acid-type monomer (iii) are units of formula (IIIa):

in which R₈ denotes H or CH₃ and R₉ denotes a hydroxyl radical or an —NH—C(CH₃)₂—CH₂—SO₃H radical.

The preferred units of formula (IIIa) correspond to the acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid monomers.

Preferably, the unit derived from a (meth)acrylic acid-type monomer of formula (IIIa) is that derived from acrylic acid, for which R₈ denotes a hydrogen atom and R₉ denotes a hydroxyl radical.

The (meth)acrylic acid-type acidic monomer(s) may be non-neutralized or partially or totally neutralized with an organic or mineral base.

Preferably, said amphoteric polymer comprises the repetition of only one unit of formula (IIIa).

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amphoteric polymer(s) of this type comprise at least 30 mol % of units derived from a (meth)acrylamide-type monomer (i). Preferably, they comprise from 30 mol % to 70 mol % and more preferably from 40 mol % to 60 mol % of units derived from a (meth)acrylamide-type monomer.

The content of units derived from a (meth)acrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium-type monomer (ii) may advantageously be from 10 mol % to 60 mol % and preferentially from 20 mol % to 55 mol %.

The content of units derived from a (meth)acrylic acid-type acidic monomer (iii) may advantageously be from 1 mol % to 20 mol % and preferentially from 5 mol % to 15 mol %.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the amphoteric polymer of this type comprises:

-   -   from 30 mol % to 70 mol % and more preferably from 40 mol % to         60 mol % of units derived from a (meth)acrylamide-type monomer         (i),     -   from 10 mol % to 60 mol % and preferentially from 20 mol % to 55         mol % of units derived from a         (meth)acrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium-type monomer (ii), and     -   from 1 mol % to 20 mol % and preferentially from 5 mol % to 15         mol % of units derived from a (meth)acrylic acid-type monomer         (iii).

Amphoteric polymers of this type may also comprise additional units, other than the units derived from a (meth)acrylamide-type monomer, a (meth)acryl-amidoalkyltrialkylammonium-type monomer and a (meth)acrylic acid-type monomer as described above.

However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said amphoteric polymers are constituted solely of units derived from monomers of (meth)acrylamide type (i), of (meth)acrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium type (ii) and of (meth)acrylic acid type (iii).

Mention may be made, as an example of particularly preferred amphoteric polymers, of acrylamide/methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride/acrylic acid terpolymers. Such polymers are listed in the CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 10th edition 2004, under the name Polyquaternium 53. Corresponding products are in particular sold under the names Merquat 2003 and Merquat 2003 PR by Nalco.

As another type of amphoteric polymer that may be used, mention may also be made of copolymers based on (meth)acrylic acid and on a dialkyldiallylammonium salt, and optionally on acrylamide or one of its derivatives, such as copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride. An example that may be mentioned is Merquat 280 sold by Nalco.

The composition according to the invention may comprise the cationic and/or amphoteric polymers in an amount of between 0.01% and 5% by weight, especially ranging from 0.05% to 3% by weight and preferentially from 0.1% to 2% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Silicone

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may also comprise one or more silicones, which are preferably liquid and volatile or nonvolatile.

The silicones that may be used may be soluble or insoluble in the composition according to the invention; they may be in the form of oil, wax, resin or gum; silicone oils and gums are preferred.

The volatile silicones may be chosen from those with a boiling point of between 60° C. and 260° C. (at atmospheric pressure) and more particularly from:

i) cyclic polydialkylsiloxanes comprising from 3 to 7 and preferably 4 to 5 silicon atoms, such as

-   -   octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.         Mention may be made of the products sold under the name Volatile         Silicone 7207 by Union Carbide or Silbione 70045 V 2 by Rhodia,         Volatile Silicone 7158 by Union Carbide or Silbione 70045 V 5 by         Rhodia;     -   cyclocopolymers of the dimethylsiloxane/methylalkylsiloxane type         having the chemical structure:

with D:

with D:

Mention may be made of Volatile Silicone FZ 3109 sold by the company Union Carbide;

-   -   mixtures of cyclic silicones with silicon-derived organic         compounds, such as the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane         and of tetratrimethylsilylpentaerythritol (50/50) and the         mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and of         1,1′-oxy(2,2,2′,2′,3,3′-hexatrimethylsilyloxy)bisneopentane;         ii) linear polydialkylsiloxanes containing 2 to 9 silicon atoms,         which generally have a viscosity of less than or equal to 5×10⁻⁶         m²/s at 25° C., such as decamethyltetrasiloxane.

Among the nonvolatile silicones, mention may be made, alone or as a mixture, of polydialkylsiloxanes and especially polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), polydiarylsiloxanes, polyalkylarylsiloxanes, silicone gums and resins, and also organopolysiloxanes (or organomodified polysiloxanes, or alternatively organomodified silicones) which are polysiloxanes comprising in their structure one or more organofunctional groups, generally attached via a hydrocarbon-based group, and preferably chosen from aryl groups, amine groups, alkoxy groups and polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene groups.

The organomodified silicones may be polydiarylsiloxanes, especially polydiphenylsiloxanes, and polyalkylarylsiloxanes, functionalized with the organofunctional groups mentioned previously. The polyalkylarylsiloxanes are particularly chosen from linear and/or branched polydimethyl/methylphenylsiloxanes and polydimethyl/diphenylsiloxanes.

Among the organomodified silicones, mention may be made of organopolysiloxanes comprising:

-   -   polyethyleneoxy and/or polypropyleneoxy groups optionally         comprising C₆-C₂₄ alkyl groups, such as dimethicone copolyols         and especially those sold by the company Dow Corning under the         name DC 1248 or the oils Silwet® L 722, L 7500, L 77 and L 711         from the company Union Carbide; or (C₁₂)alkylmethicone copolyols         and especially those sold by the company Dow Corning under the         name Q2 5200;     -   substituted or unsubstituted amine groups, in particular C₁-C₄         aminoalkyl groups; mention may be made of the products sold         under the names GP4 Silicone Fluid and GP7100 by the company         Genesee, or under the names Q2-8220 and DC929 or DC939 by the         company Dow Corning;     -   thiol groups, such as the products sold under the names GP 72 A         and GP 71 from Genesee;     -   alkoxylated groups, such as the product sold under the name         Silicone Copolymer F-755 by SWS Silicones and Abil Wax® 2428,         2434 and 2440 by the company Goldschmidt;     -   hydroxylated groups, for instance polyorganosiloxanes bearing a         hydroxyalkyl function;     -   acyloxyalkyl groups, such as the polyorganosiloxanes described         in patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,732;     -   anionic groups of the carboxylic acid type, as described, for         example, in EP 186 507, or of the alkylcarboxylic type, such as         the product X-22-3701E from the company Shin-Etsu; or else of         the 2-hydroxyalkylsulfonate or 2-hydroxy-alkylthiosulfate type,         such as the products sold by the company Goldschmidt under the         names Abil® S201 and Abil® S255;     -   hydroxyacylamino groups, such as the polyorganosiloxanes         described in patent application EP 342 834; mention may be made,         for example, of the product Q2-8413 from the company Dow         Corning.

The silicones may also be chosen from polydialkylsiloxanes, among which mention may be made mainly of polydimethylsiloxanes bearing trimethylsilyl end groups. Among these polydialkylsiloxanes, mention may be made of the following commercial products:

-   -   the Silbione® oils of the 47 and 70 047 series or the Mirasil®         oils sold by Rhodia, such as, for example, the oil 70 047 V 500         000;     -   the oils of the Mirasil® series sold by the company Rhodia;     -   the oils of the 200 series from the company Dow Corning, such as         DC200 with a viscosity of 60 000 mm²/s;     -   the Viscasil® oils from General Electric and certain oils of the         SF series (SF 96, SF 18) from General Electric.

Mention may also be made of polydimethylsiloxanes bearing dimethylsilanol end groups, known under the name dimethiconol (CTFA), such as the oils of the 48 series from the company Rhodia.

In this category of polydialkylsiloxanes, mention may also be made of the products sold under the names Abil Wax® 9800 and 9801 by the company Goldschmidt, which are poly(C₁-C₂₀)dialkylsiloxanes.

Products that may be used more particularly in accordance with the invention are mixtures such as:

-   -   the mixtures formed from a polydimethylsiloxane hydroxylated at         the chain end, or dimethiconol (CTFA), and from a cyclic         polydimethylsiloxane, also known as cyclomethicone (CTFA), such         as the product Q2 1401 sold by the company Dow Corning.

The polyalkylarylsiloxanes are particularly chosen from linear and/or branched polydimethyl/methylphenylsiloxanes and polydimethyl/diphenylsiloxanes with a viscosity ranging from 1×10⁻⁵ to 5×10⁻² m²/s at 25° C.

Among these polyalkylarylsiloxanes, mention may be made of the products sold under the following names:

-   -   the Silbione® oils of the 70 641 series from Rhodia;     -   the oils of the Rhodorsil® 70 633 and 763 series from Rhodia;     -   the oil Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluid from Dow Corning;     -   the silicones of the PK series from Bayer, such as the product         PK20;     -   the silicones of the PN and PH series from Bayer, such as the         products PN1000 and PH1000;     -   certain oils of the SF series from General Electric, such as SF         1023, SF 1154, SF 1250 and SF 1265.

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may comprise said silicones in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 10% by weight and better still from 0.2% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

Thickeners

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may also comprise one or more thickeners, preferably nonionic thickeners.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “thickener” means a compound which, when introduced at 1% by weight in an aqueous solution or an aqueous-alcoholic solution containing 30% ethanol, and at pH 7, makes it possible to achieve a viscosity of at least 100 cps (centipoises) and preferably of at least 500 cps, at 25° C. and at a shear rate of 1 s⁻¹. This viscosity may be measured using a cone/plate viscometer (Haake R600 rheometer or the like).

The thickeners may be chosen from optionally oxyalkylenated fatty alcohols, fatty amides, oxyalkylenated fatty acid esters, and acrylic thickening polymers, and also mixtures thereof. They are preferably chosen from fatty amides and oxyalkylenated fatty acid esters.

The fatty alcohols preferably have the structure R—OH with R being a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon-based radical, comprising 8 to 40 carbon atoms, especially 8 to 30 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more OH groups, preferably 1 to 2 OH groups; preferably, R is a C₈-C₄₀ and especially C₁₂-C₂₄ alkyl; or alternatively a C₈-C₄₀ and especially C₁₂-C₂₄ alkenyl. Mention may be made especially of the following compounds: lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, undecylenyl alcohol, palmitoleyl alcohol, arachidonyl alcohol and erucyl alcohol, and also mixtures thereof.

Advantageously, said fatty alcohols are solid at 25° C., i.e. they have a viscosity, measured with a rheometer (for example an R600 rheometer), at 25° C. and at a shear rate of 1 s⁻¹, of greater than or equal to 1 Pa·s.

Preferably, the fatty alcohols are chosen from stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol and mixtures thereof (cetylstearyl alcohol).

The term “fatty amide” means an amide comprising in its structure at least one hydrocarbon-based chain comprising at least 8 carbon atoms.

The fatty amides are more particularly chosen from compounds derived from an amide of alkanolamine and from a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty acid, comprising 8 to 30 carbon atoms, the alkanolamine and/or the fatty acid possibly being oxyalkylenated, preferably oxyethylenated, and comprising 1 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide (1-50 EO).

Preferably, the fatty amides are chosen from amides of C₂-C₁₀ alkanolamines and of C₁₄-C₃₀ fatty acids, and better still of C₂-C₁₀ alkanolamines and of C₁₄-C₂₂ fatty acids.

Mention may in particular be made of:

-   -   the coconut (or coconut fatty acid) monoisopropanolamide, such         as the product Empilan CLS from the company Huntsman,     -   coconut (or coconut fatty acid) monoethanolamide, or cocamide         MEA;     -   soybean fatty acid diethanolamide, such as the product         Comperlan® VOD from the company Cognis,     -   oleic acid monoisopropanolamide, such as the product Witcamide®         61 from the company Witco,     -   oleic acid diethanolamide, such as the product Mexanyl® GT from         the company Chimex,     -   myristic acid monoethanolamide, such as the product Comperlan®         MM from the company Cognis,     -   stearic acid ethanolamide or stearic acid monoethanolamide, such         as the products Monamid® S and Monamid® 972 from the company         Uniqema,     -   linoleic acid diethanolamide, such as the product Purton® SFD         from the company Zschimmer Schwarz,     -   behenic acid monoethanolamide, such as the product Incromide®         BEM from the company Croda,     -   isostearic acid monoisopropanolamide, such as the product         Witcamide® SPA from the company Witco,     -   erucic acid diethanolamide, such as the product Erucic acid         diethanolamide from the company Stearineries Dubois,     -   ricinoleic acid monoethanolamide, such as the product Ricinoleic         monoethanolamide from the company Stearineries Dubois,     -   rapeseed fatty acid amide comprising 4 mol of EO, such as the         product Amidet N from the company Kao.

The oxyalkylenated fatty acid esters may be chosen from oxyalkylenated derivatives of fatty acid esters or of fatty alcohol ethers.

Mention may be made most particularly of oxyalkylenated and especially oxyethylenated derivatives of esters of C₆-C₃₀ fatty acids or of ethers of C₆-C₃₀ fatty alcohols, and of polyols such as glycerol, sorbitol, glucose, pentaerythritol or polyethylene glycol, preferably polyethylene glycol, these derivatives preferably comprising 10 to 500 mol of ethylene oxide (EO), in particular 30 to 400 EO and preferably 40 to 300 mol of EO.

Mention may be made in particular of ethylene glycol stearate, polyethylene glycol distearate with 150 EO, glyceryl stearate with 200 EO such as the product Simulsol 220 TM® from SEPPIC, pentaerythrityl tetrastearate with 150 EO, such as the product Crothix® from Croda, methylglucose dioleate with 120 EO, such as the product Glucamate DOE-120 Vegetal® from the company Amerchol, sorbitan triisostearate with 160 EO, such as the product Rheodol TW IS399C from the company Kao Chemicals, and propylene glycol oleate with 55 EO, such as the product Antil 141 Liquid from the company Evonik Goldschmidt.

In particular, the oxyalkylenated fatty acid esters may correspond to the following formula:

R₁—CO—(X)_(n)—(OCH₂CH₂)_(m)—O—(CO)_(p)—R₂

in which:

-   -   R₁ is a linear or branched C₉-C₂₉ alkyl or alkenyl radical,     -   R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched C₉-C₂₉ alkyl or         alkenyl radical,     -   X is a linear or branched C₁-C₄ divalent alkylene radical,         preferably of formula —CH₂—CH(CH₃)—;     -   n is 0 or 1, p is 0 or 1 and m is an integer ranging from 50 to         200.

Among the acrylic thickening polymers, the following are most particularly preferred:

-   -   crosslinked (meth)acrylic acid homopolymers, such as the         products sold under the names Carbopol 980, 981, 954, 2984 and         5984 by the company Goodrich or the products sold under the         names Synthalen M and Synthalen K by the company 3 VSA; and     -   crosslinked copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and of a C₁-C₆         alkyl acrylate, and especially crosslinked copolymers of         methacrylic acid and of ethyl acrylate or of acrylic acid and of         ethyl acrylate, such as the products sold under the names         Viscoatex 538C by the company Coatex, Aculyn 33 by the company         Röhm & Haas, or Carbopol Aqua SF-1 by the company Noveon.

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may comprise the thickener(s) in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 10% by weight, better still from 0.05% to 8% by weight, even better still from 0.1% to 5% by weight and preferentially from 0.5% to 4% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Other Ingredients

The cosmetic composition according to the invention may be in any presentation form conventionally used and especially in the form of an aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic or oily solution or suspension; a solution or dispersion of the lotion or serum type; an emulsion, an aqueous or anhydrous gel, or any other cosmetic form.

The composition according to the invention is preferably aqueous and then comprises water at a concentration preferably ranging from 30% to 98% by weight, especially from 50% to 95% by weight and better still from 60% to 90% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition may also comprise one or more organic solvents that are liquid at 25° C. and 1 atm. and especially water-soluble, such as C₁-C₆ alcohols, especially C₁-C₆ aliphatic or aromatic monoalcohols; C₃-C₇ polyols such as glycerol; glycols such as butylene glycol, isoprene glycol or propylene glycol; and C₃-C₇ polyol ethers, which may thus be used alone or as a mixture with water. Advantageously, the organic solvent may be chosen from ethanol and isopropanol, and mixtures thereof.

The composition according to the invention may also comprise at least one common cosmetic ingredient, other than the compounds of the invention, chosen especially from plant, mineral, animal or synthetic oils; solid fatty substances and especially waxes, C₈-C₄₀ esters and C₈-C₄₀ acids; C₈-C₄₀ alcohols; cationic surfactants, anionic polymers; sunscreens; moisturizers; antidandruff agents; antioxidants; chelating agents; nacreous agents and opacifiers; plasticizers or coalescers; hydroxy acids; fillers; fragrances; basifying or acidifying agents; aldehydes, DHA; polymeric or non-polymeric thickeners, and especially associative polymers; preserving agents; sequestrants (EDTA and salts thereof); dyestuffs. The composition can, of course, comprise several cosmetic ingredients appearing in the above list. Those skilled in the art will take care to choose the ingredients included in the composition, and also the amounts thereof, such that they do not harm the properties of the compositions of the present invention.

The pH of the composition, if it is aqueous, is preferably between 4 and 7.5 and especially between 4.5 and 6.

The cosmetic composition may be rinsed off or left on after having been applied to the keratin materials; it is preferably rinsed off, after an optional leave-on time which may be a few minutes.

The cosmetic composition according to the invention especially finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of body and/or hair hygiene, especially for cleansing the hair and/or the scalp, and also for cleansing and/or removing makeup from bodily and/or facial skin.

It may thus constitute a shampoo or a shower gel, or alternatively a mask to be rinsed off.

A subject of the invention is also a cosmetic treatment process, especially for caring for and/or cleansing keratin materials, especially the hair, the scalp, bodily skin and/or facial skin, comprising the application to said keratin materials of a cosmetic composition according to the invention, optionally followed by rinsing, after an optional leave-on time.

The invention relates especially to a cosmetic process for cleansing soiling residues from human keratin materials, in which a composition according to the invention is applied to said keratin materials in the presence of water, it is massaged to form a foam, and the foam formed and the soiling residues are then removed by rinsing with water.

The invention is illustrated in greater detail in the examples that follow. In these examples, the viscosity is measured as indicated above (using a Haake Mars rheometer in cone-plate geometry, with a diameter of 60 mm/1°).

EXAMPLES

The below hair compositions of shampoo type (% by weight of active material AM) are prepared:

Example Example Example 1 2 3 Sodium C₁₄₋₁₆ olefin sulfonate 12 5 15 (Bioterge AS-40A from Stepan) Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate 6 — — Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate — 10 3 Cocamidopropyl betaine 2 2 2 Cocamide MEA 0.5 2 1 Polyquaternium-10 0.5 0.5 0.5 PDMS 60 000 1.75 1.75 1.75 Carbomer 0.15 0.15 0.15 NaCl 1.25 0.6 0.85 pH agent (citric acid, NaOH) qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 Water qs 100% qs 100% qs 100% Viscosity (mPa · s) 7065 3360 6100 Example Example Example 4 5 6 Sodium C₁₄₋₁₆ olefin sulfonate 15 12 14 (Bioterge AS-40A from Stepan) Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate 3 2.4 2 Cocamidopropyl betaine — 2 2 Cocobetaine 2 — — Cocamide MEA 1 1 2 Polyquaternium-10 0.5 0.5 0.5 PDMS 60 000 1.75 1.75 1.75 Carbomer 0.15 0.15 0.15 NaCl 0.5 1.25 0.4 pH agent (citric acid, NaOH) qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 Water qs 100% qs 100% qs 100% Viscosity (mPa · s) 7000 7750 6300 Example Example Example 7 8 9 Sodium C₁₄₋₁₆ olefin sulfonate 9 8 8 (Bioterge AS-40A from Stepan) Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate 4.5 4 4 Cocamidopropyl betaine 2 2 2 Cocamide MEA 1.5 2 1 Polyquaternium-10 0.5 0.5 0.5 PDMS 60 000 1.75 1.75 1.75 Carbomer 0.15 0.15 0.15 NaCl 1 0.4 1.2 pH agent (citric acid, NaOH) qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 Water qs 100% qs 100% qs 100% Viscosity (mPa · s) 6500 7600 6150 Example Example Example 10 11 12 Sodium C₁₄₋₁₆ olefin sulfonate 8 7 6 (Bioterge AS-40A from Stepan) Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate 4 3.5 3 Cocamidopropyl betaine 2 2 2 Cocamide MEA 1.5 1.5 1.5 Polyquaternium-10 0.5 0.5 0.5 PDMS 60 000 1.75 1.75 1.75 Carbomer 0.15 0.15 0.15 NaCl 0.75 0.55 0.5 pH agent (citric acid, NaOH) qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 Water qs 100% qs 100% qs 100% Viscosity (mPa · s) 6700 6200 6800 Example Example 13 14 Sodium C₁₄₋₁₆ olefin sulfonate 10 7.5 (Bioterge AS-40A from Stepan) Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate 5 7.5 Cocamidopropyl betaine 2 2 Cocamide MEA 2 2 Polyquaternium-10 0.5 0.5 PDMS 60 000 1.75 1.75 Carbomer 0.15 0.15 NaCl 0.6 0.5 pH agent (citric acid, NaOH) qs pH 5.3 qs pH 5.3 Water qs 100% qs 100% Viscosity (mPa · s) 5700 5270

Stable detergent compositions are obtained, which exhibit good thickening, with a viscosity of at least 4 Pa·s, and a foaming effect, which may be used for cleansing the hair and lead to the production of good cosmetic properties for the hair.

The compositions exhibit good starting of foaming and generate an abundant foam of good quality: the foam in particular has a creamy texture and spreads easily over the whole head of hair.

Examples 4 and 7 were tested by a sensory panel of 10 trained consumers and compared with a sulfate-free commercial shampoo formulation.

The two examples according to the invention exhibit starting of foaming and foam abundance, firmness and persistence equivalent to those of the commercial product, even though these compositions according to the invention comprise much less anionic surfactant (between 10% and 30% less). 

1. A cosmetic composition comprising: (i) one or more linear α-olefin sulfonates, (ii) one or more non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants other than the compounds (i), present in the composition in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition; and (iii) one or more additional surfactants chosen from amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants.
 2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, in which the linear α-olefin sulfonates comprise linear alkene sulfonates, especially of formula (A): R—CH₂—CH═CH—(CH₂)n—SO₃M in which: R is a saturated linear alkyl radical comprising from 4 to 30 carbon atoms, especially from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or even from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and better still from 10 to 14 carbon atoms; n is an integer between 0 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4 and better still n=1; M is a cosmetically acceptable cation, chosen especially from the ammonium cation, cations derived from alkali metals or alkaline-earth metals, cations derived from organic amines such as alkanolamines; preferably those derived from alkali metals; and especially Na+ or K+.
 3. The composition as claimed in the preceding claim, in which the linear alkene sulfonates are of formula:

in which: R is a saturated linear alkyl radical comprising from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, especially from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or even from 8 to 14 carbon atoms and better still from 10 to 12 carbon atoms; M is a cosmetically acceptable cation, chosen especially from the ammonium cation, cations derived from alkali metals or alkaline-earth metals, cations derived from organic amines such as alkanolamines; preferably those derived from alkali metals or alkali metals; and better still Na+ or K+.
 4. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the linear α-olefin sulfonates comprise linear hydroxyalkane sulfonates, especially of formula (B): R′—CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—(CH₂)n′-SO₃M′  (B) in which: R′ is a saturated linear alkyl radical comprising from 4 to 30 carbon atoms, especially from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or even from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, in particular 8 to 14 carbon atoms, better still from 10 to 14 carbon atoms, especially from 10 to 12 carbon atoms; n′ is an integer between 0 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4 and better still n′=1; M′ is a cosmetically acceptable cation, chosen especially from the ammonium cation, cations derived from alkali metals or alkaline-earth metals, cations derived from organic amines such as alkanolamines; preferably those derived from alkali metals; and especially Na+ or K+.
 5. The composition as claimed in the preceding claim, in which the linear hydroxyalkane sulfonates are of formula:

in which: R′ is a saturated linear alkyl radical comprising from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, especially from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or even from 8 to 14 carbon atoms and better still from 10 to 12 carbon atoms; M′ is a cosmetically acceptable cation, chosen especially from the ammonium cation, cations derived from alkali metals or alkaline-earth metals, cations derived from organic amines such as alkanolamines; preferably those derived from alkali metals or alkali metals; and especially Na+ or K+.
 6. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the linear α-olefin sulfonates are chosen from linear α-olefin sulfonates comprising 8 to 28 carbon atoms, especially from 10 to 24 carbon atoms, better still from 12 to 20 carbon atoms, in particular from 14 to 18 carbon atoms; in particular of alkali metals, especially of sodium.
 7. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising said linear α-olefin sulfonates in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight, especially from 4% to 18% by weight and preferably from 6% to 16% by weight, relative to the total weight of the cosmetic composition.
 8. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants, other than the compounds (i), chosen from: acylglycinates, acyllactylates, acylsarcosinates, acylglutamates, alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylamidesulfosuccinates; and also the salts of these compounds; the alkyl and/or acyl groups of these compounds comprising from 6 to carbon atoms, especially from 12 to 28, better still from 14 to 24 or even from 16 to 22, carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably denoting a phenyl or benzyl group; alkylsulfonates, alkylamidesulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkylsulfoacetates, N-acyltaurates, acylisethionates, alkylsulfolaurates; and also the salts of these compounds; the alkyl groups of these compounds comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, especially from 12 to 28, better still from 14 to 24 or even from 16 to 22, carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably denoting a phenyl or benzyl group.
 9. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants other than the compounds (i) are chosen, alone or as a mixture, from: acylglutamates, especially of C₆-C₂₄ or even C₁₂-C₂₀, such as stearoylglutamates, and in particular disodium stearoylglutamate; acylsarcosinates, especially of C₆-C₂₄ or even C₁₂-C₂₀, such as palmitoylsarcosinates and lauroylsarcosinates, and in particular sodium palmitoylsarcosinate or sodium lauroylsarcosinate; acyllactylates, especially of C₁₂-C₂₈ or even C₁₄-C₂₄, such as behenoyllactylates, and in particular sodium behenoyllactylate; C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ acylglycinates; C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ N-acyltaurates; C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ alkylsulfosuccinates, especially laurylsulfosuccinates, in particular of sodium; (C₆-C₂₄)acylisethionates, preferably (C₁₂-C₁₈)acylisethionates, and most particularly cocoylisethionates, especially of sodium; C₆-C₂₄ and especially C₁₂-C₂₀ alkylsulfoacetates; in particular in the form of alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, ammonium or amino alcohol salts.
 10. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising said non-oxyalkylenated anionic surfactants other than the compounds (i) in an amount ranging from 1% to 20% by weight, especially from 1.5% to 15% by weight, better still from 2% to 10% by weight and better still from 3% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
 11. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more additional surfactants chosen from nonionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants; and especially from: alcohols, α-diols and (C₁₋₂₀)alkylphenols, these compounds being polyethoxylated and/or polypropoxylated and/or polyglycerolated, the number of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide groups possibly ranging from 1 to 100, and the number of glycerol groups possibly ranging from 2 to 30; and/or these compounds comprising at least one fatty chain comprising from 8 to 30 carbon atoms and especially from 16 to 30 carbon atoms; condensates of ethylene oxide and of propylene oxide with fatty alcohols; polyethoxylated fatty amides preferably having from 2 to 30 ethylene oxide units, polyglycerolated fatty amides comprising on average from 1 to 5, and in particular from 1.5 to 4, glycerol groups; C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid alkanolamides, such as C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoalkanolamides, in particular C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoethanolamides or monoisopropanolamides; ethoxylated fatty acid esters of sorbitan preferably containing from 2 to 40 ethylene oxide units, fatty acid esters of sucrose, polyoxyalkylenated and preferably polyoxyethylenated fatty acid esters containing from 2 to 150 mol of ethylene oxide, including oxyethylenated plant oils, N—(C₆₋₂₄ alkyl)glucamine derivatives, amine oxides such as (C₁₀₋₁₄ alkyl)amine oxides or N—(C₁₀₋₁₄ acyl)aminopropylmorpholine oxides; nonionic surfactants of alkylpolyglycoside type, represented especially by the following general formula: R₁O—(R₂O)_(t)-(G)_(v) in which: R₁ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical comprising 6 to 24 carbon atoms and especially 8 to 18 carbon atoms, or an alkylphenyl radical whose linear or branched alkyl radical comprises 6 to 24 carbon atoms and especially 8 to 18 carbon atoms; R₂ represents an alkylene radical comprising 2 to 4 carbon atoms, G represents a sugar unit comprising 5 to 6 carbon atoms, t denotes a value ranging from 0 to 10 and preferably 0 to 4, v denotes a value ranging from 1 to 15 and preferably 1 to 4; (C₈-C₂₀)alkylbetaines, sulfobetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylsulfobetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkyl-amido(C₁-C₆)alkylbetaines, such as cocamidopropylbetaine, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamido-(C₁-C₆)alkylsulfobetaines, and also mixtures thereof; optionally quaternized secondary or tertiary aliphatic amine derivatives having the below respective structures (A1) and (A2): R_(a)—CON(Z)CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)—N⁺(R_(b))(R_(c))(CH₂COO⁻)  (A1) in which: R_(a) represents a C₁₀-C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl group derived from an acid R_(a)—COOH preferably present in hydrolyzed coconut oil, or a heptyl, nonyl or undecyl group, R_(b) represents a β-hydroxyethyl group, R_(c) represents a carboxymethyl group; m is equal to 0, 1 or 2, Z represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyethyl or carboxymethyl group, R_(a)—CON(Z)CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)′-N(B)(B′)  (A2) in which: B represents —CH₂CH₂OX′, with X′ representing —CH₂—COOH, CH₂—COOZ′, —CH₂CH₂—COOH, —CH₂CH₂—COOZ′, or a hydrogen atom, B′ represents —(CH₂)_(z)—Y′, with z=1 or 2, and Y′ representing —COOH, —COOZ′, —CH₂—CHOH—SO₃H or —CH₂—CHOH—SO₃Z′, m′ is equal to 0, 1 or 2, Z represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyethyl or carboxymethyl group, Z′ represents an ion derived from an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, such as sodium, potassium or magnesium; an ammonium ion; or an ion derived from an organic amine and especially from an amino alcohol, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine or triisopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane. R_(a′) represents a C₁₀-C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl group of an acid R_(a′)COOH preferably present in hydrolyzed linseed oil or coconut oil, an alkyl group, especially a C₁₇ alkyl group, and its iso form, or an unsaturated C₁₇ group. compounds of formula (A3): R_(a″)—NH—CH(Y″)—(CH₂)n-C(O)—NH—(CH₂)n′—N(R_(d))(R_(e))  (A3) in which: R_(a″) represents a C₁₀-C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl group of an acid R_(a″)—C(O)OH, which is preferably present in hydrolyzed linseed oil or coconut oil; Y″ represents the group —C(O)OH, —C(O)OZ″, —CH₂—CH(OH)—SO₃H or the group —CH₂—CH(OH)—SO₃—Z″, with Z″ representing a cation resulting from an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, such as sodium, an ammonium ion or an ion resulting from an organic amine; R_(d) and R_(e), independently of each other, represent a C₁-C₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical; and n and n′, independently of each other, denote an integer ranging from 1 to
 3. 12. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one nonionic surfactant and at least one amphoteric surfactant; said nonionic surfactant preferably being chosen from (C₆₋₂₄ alkyl)polyglycosides, and more particularly (C₈₋₁₈ alkyl)polyglycosides, ethoxylated C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid esters of sorbitan, polyethoxylated C₈-C₃₀ fatty alcohols and polyoxyethylenated C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid esters, these compounds preferably containing from 2 to 150 mol of ethylene oxide, C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid alkanolamides such as C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoalkanolamides, in particular C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoethanolamides or monoisopropanolamides, and mixtures thereof; and better still said nonionic surfactant being chosen from C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid alkanolamides, such as C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoalkanolamides, in particular C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid monoethanolamides or monoisopropanolamides; and/or said amphoteric surfactant preferably being chosen from (C₈-C₂₀)alkylbetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamido(C₁-C₆)alkylbetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamphoacetates and (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamphodiacetates, and mixtures thereof.
 13. The composition as claimed in claim 11 or 12, comprising said additional nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactant(s) in a total amount ranging from 0.5% to 20% by weight, especially from 1% to 15% by weight, preferentially from 1.5% to 12% by weight or even from 2% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
 14. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more polymers chosen from amphoteric or cationic polymers, and also mixtures thereof, preferably in an amount of between 0.01% and 5% by weight, especially ranging from 0.05% to 3% by weight and preferentially from 0.1% to 2% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
 15. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more silicones, which are preferably liquid, volatile or nonvolatile; preferably in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 10% by weight, better still from 0.2% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
 16. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising water in a concentration preferably ranging from 30% to 98% by weight, especially from 50% to 95% by weight and better still from 60% to 90% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
 17. The composition as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more thickeners, which are preferably nonionic; preferably chosen from optionally oxyalkylenated fatty alcohols, fatty amides, oxyalkylenated fatty acid esters, and acrylic thickening polymers, and also mixtures thereof.
 18. A cosmetic treatment process, especially for caring for and/or cleansing keratin materials, especially the hair, the scalp, bodily skin and/or facial skin, comprising the application to said keratin materials of a cosmetic composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, optionally followed by rinsing, after an optional leave-on time.
 19. A cosmetic process for cleansing soiling residues from human keratin materials, in which a cosmetic composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 is applied to said keratin materials in the presence of water, it is massaged to form a foam, and the foam formed and the soiling residues are then removed by rinsing with water. 